MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Summer 2018

SUMMER 2018 ML BLUE 61 31 Ariel Amaral with the wind at her back. SCOTT PARENT FULL DAY TRIPS There is no better way to experience Bruce Peninsula National Park than a proper downwinder on a stand-up paddleboard. That being said, this shoreline is remote, and experience, planning and preparation is paramount for a successful tour (i.e., one that doesn’t end up in Parry Sound). If the winds are even slightly off, they can work against you. There is also a 1km portage at the take-out to account for, so be sure to have your gear streamlined and packed for ease of haulage, without skimping on essential kit. Assuming you’ve got the experience and knowledge to do this (or a hired guide) here are some offered tips to line you up for the ultimate magic carpet ride. What to expect. Like most downwinders, you will need to stage transportation for you and your gear at both ends. As parking lots in the National Park in summer often fill up by mid-morning, you will want to get there early. Launch at Little Cove. From the parking lot, a short portage down a washed- out road will lead you to the rocky beach. Paddle along for the next 12km along some of the most astonishing and dramatic shoreline Georgian Bay has to offer. There are a couple of wide bays that you will either cross or want to cut into, depending on the wind angle, to keep you from blowing out to sea. Expect to spend most of your day in the solitude of your party, with the exception of passing the Grotto, where you can expect a crowd of a thousand people including you in their selfies. Take out at Halfway Log Dump. If you happen to miss it, your next option is Dyers Bay pier, an additional 24km with a 90-degree turn around the horn of Cabot Head, so be sure to know what the take-out looks like from the shore. Assuming you hit it right, finish off with the portage to the parking lot. —Scott Parent DIY: for a guided paddle, contact fathompaddleguiding.ca. For general national park info and basic maps, hit pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/bruce Expect to spend most of your day in the solitude of your party, with the exception of passing the Grotto, where you can expect a crowd of a thousand people including you in their selfie photos. Bruce Peninsula Downwinder